In this study the effect of different cropping systems and crop successions was evaluated on natural Fusarium sp. contamination and fumonisin levels in corn. The cropping systems consisted of a conventional and no-tillage area cultivated with corn in the summer following either oats or fallow in the winter (2006 and 2007 growing seasons). In addition, the effect of applying nitrogen fertilizer (0, 22.5, 45.0, 90.0 and 90.0 kg ha −1 nitrogen supplemented with potassium oxide) on fumonisin contamination was evaluated in the 2006 growing season. Fusarium sp. was detected in 90% samples in 2006 and in 100% samples in 2007. In both growing seasons, no-till corn following oats showed the highest mean fumonisin levels and differed significantly (P<0.05) from all the others (2006) and from conventional till corn following either oats or fallow in the winter (2007). Fumonisin levels ranged from 0.13 to 19.52 μg g −1 (mean 6.97 μg g −1 ) and from 3.70 to 7.75 μg g −1 (mean 6.29 μg g −1 ) in no-till corn following oats from the 2006 and 2007 growing seasons, respectively. Plots treated with 0 kg ha −1 and 22.5 kg ha −1 nitrogen showed the highest mean fumonisin levels and differed significantly from those with 45.0 and 90 kg ha −1 nitrogen. Fumonisin levels correlated negatively (P<0.05) with the nitrogen fertilization rates. Although no-till is advantageous from a soil conservation standpoint, it may enhance the potential for fumonisin contamination in corn.
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